Oil Consumption Update (Jan 2001 version)
Kirk Kohnen
I have a manual '97 SL2 that I bought new. I have been running nothing
but synthetic oil in it (almost exclusively Mobil 1 5w30. A change or 2
using Chevron Supreme full synthetic because it was cheap - $2.50 per
quart on clearance).
My commute is about 75 miles round trip, mostly on So Cal freeways (and
a little surface street driving).
If you want to see previous stuff I've posted regarding this, fire up
dejanews and look for yourself. Using a few of the exact mileages
listed below as search keys will find my previous posts for you.
Anyway, here are the raw consumption numbers:
35966 to 39027 miles consumed 30 oz of oil.
39027 to 42088 miles consumed 32 oz of oil.
42088 to 44822 miles consumed 26 oz of oil.
44822 to 47626 miles consumed 35.5 oz of oil.
47626 to 50613 miles consumed 35 oz of oil.
50613 to 53613 miles consumed 32 oz of oil.
53613 to 56674 miles consumed 38 oz of oil.
56674 to 59752 miles consumed 48 oz of oil.
59752 to 62764 miles consumed 44 oz of oil.
I am modeling oil consumption as a simple linear function of the miles:
Ounces of oil per mile = A + B x Odometer Reading
(for those of you who have been following along in the news group
regarding my oil consumption, this is a slight change from the way that
I have been doing the analysis in the past. It permits me to account
for the slight deviation from exact 3,000 mile change intervals and get
a relatively accurate trend line).
The values of A and B that best fit the measured data are:
A = 0.005340876 ounces per mile
B = 1.3356E-07 ounces per mile^2
Projecting this data out, at about 80,000 miles (79808 for the anal), I
will be consuming 1.5 quarts per 3,000 miles, or 2,000 miles per quart.
This is the point at which Saturn declares that the oil consumption is
excessive.
Editorialization on:
If my numbers (using synthetic oil) are similar to numbers that one
would get with non-synthetic oil, I can see the business model for
Saturn not addressing the oil consumption issue. My engine will only
start burning excessive amounts of oil (according to Saturn) at about
80,000 miles. I believe that modern engines can, should and do burn
much less oil than this. But, it's hard to stand up and say that an
engine that burns 1 quart every 2,000 miles at 80,000 miles is still in
some sort of manufacturer's warranty.
Given that I have an engine which has received EXCELLENT care, I think
that starting to consume oil at the rate that its manufacturer declares
excessive at 80,000 miles indicates that my engine has a problem.
I will feed it oil as it needs, but it's clear to me that my Saturn SL2
engine is developing a drinking problem.
Editorialization off:
Please let me know what you guys think.
Oh, and let me save you the trouble: Yes, I'm blissfully aware that I
have no life.
Marc Webb
Oil consumption is about 4,500 miles per quart. I have been using AMSOIL
0W30 since about 70,000 miles (when I aquired the car about 3 1/2 years
ago). I change the oil once a year and the AMSOIL super duty oil filter at
6 months. I drive 16,000 to 18,000 miles per year.
www.amsoil.com
Marc
Kirk Kohnen <kkoohh...@attglobal.net> wrote in message
news:3A736688...@attglobal.net...
ProfWdesk1
doesn't use any. I'm sure some out there do. But, basically Saturn's don't
burn oil. Roy
emi...@my-deja.com
how can you say this when Saturn itself says that some of its engines do
consume oil excessively? They've admitted that my 1997 SW2 is
consuming at an excessive rate
Emily
Sent via Deja.com
http://www.deja.com/
Geo
"ProfWdesk1" <profw...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20010127234829...@ng-fz1.aol.com...
Well, there you go. The final word from the professor.
_George_
Natural Light Black & White Photography
http://www.accesshub.net/~naturalight
Blue87T
>But, basically Saturn's don't
>burn oil. Roy
Thats a nice theory , but horribly incorrect.
Tiggerad01
consumption, as per both Saturn Canada & US. So follow your owners manual
and get the oil changes done thru authorized Saturn Dealership or Garage,
otherwise, they may have grounds for voiding your warranty.
"Blue87T" <blu...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20010217180812...@ng-bk1.aol.com...
¤TT¤
wrote:
>Oh yes they do BURN OIL and it was designed this way for better gas
>consumption, as per both Saturn Canada & US.
Should Saturn repair the cars either under warranty or out of warranty
that do not burn oil, since they were not designed correctly?
P38Lightning5
consumption, as per both Saturn Canada & US. So follow your owners manual
and get the oil changes done thru authorized Saturn Dealership or Garage,
otherwise, they may have grounds for voiding your warranty.>>
False. It's YOUR car and you can do what you want with it. Warranties can
not be voided will-nilly.
Lori Pringle
"Blue87T" <blu...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20010217180812...@ng-bk1.aol.com...
Rudy Garcia
Pringle" <nob...@nowhere.net> wrote:
A long time ago, in a prior life, I had an MGB. Fun car to drive, but
they were all oil burners.
As a matter of fact, the shop manual institutionalized the concept of
oil burning by referring to it as:
"Top Cylinder Lubrication"
Gave me a warm fuzzy knowing that the top part of the cylinders were
getting properly lubed :-)
--
Rudy Garcia
rudyg....@jps.net (remove .nospam)
Blue87T
>My '98 SL1 never burned oil.
>
Late 97 Models and up typically don't burn oil.
Blue87T
>Oh yes they do BURN OIL and it was designed this way for better gas
>consumption, as per both Saturn Canada & US.
That is sooo not true. That is a dealers excuse that some use. There is an
acceptable limit of oil consumption but there are plenty out there that use way
too much.
Diago
changing oil and have gone as much as 7,000 miles between changes. I have
never had to add oil between changes. I just ordered a LW200 and hope I get
as good service out it.
Blue87T <blu...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20010320214543...@ng-mj1.aol.com...
Jonnie Santos
was putting up to 2 quarts in it between changes. The dealer's oil
consumption test confirmed (1.5 qt. in 2,000 miles), and they performed a
rebuild at 44,000 - I now have 51,000 miles and so far so good...
Note: The original build started consuming slowly at about 30,000 miles.
...congrats on your L series order. I've looked at them a couple of times
now and they look pretty plush, however I'll probably need to replace the
pickup before I can buy another car (unless I win the lottery!!!).
"Diago" <freigh...@bluefrognet.net> wrote in message
news:L8Vt6.8494$wQ3.6...@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
Michael D. Turley
have the potential for MASS oil consumption. I have a 99 Camaro w/ an LS1
and currently use 1 quart every 250 to 400 miles. I know of another guy who
just had his engine replaced by the dealer as he consumed ALL of his oil in
300 miles. His car had 22,000 miles when he first noticed the issue. Mine
had only 8,000. Chevy is aware of this issue and claims they will have a fix
for it in 4 to 6 months. Hell, in 4 to 6 months my car won't even start. I'm
getting a lemon law lawyer to handle my case and am considering a class
action suit.
--
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